Platina Resources Begins Master Alloy Development at Owendale

Platina Resources (ASX:PGM) reports that it has commenced a metallurgical testing program aimed at developing an aluminium-scandium master alloy using the scandium oxide produced from the Owendale pilot plant program.

Australian-based Platina Resources is an exploration and development company focused on precious and specialty metals, particularly platinum group metals and the strategic metal scandium.

As quoted from the press release:

The primary product produced from the proposed Owendale High Pressure Acid Leach operation is scandium oxide. Scandium oxide can be used directly in a variety of applications including ceramic fuel cells, high intensity lighting and in the production of light-weight aluminium alloys.

The aim of the development program is to develop a proprietary process for the production of valueadded, aluminium-scandium master alloy. The program is also investigating options for making aluminium-scandium alloys from an intermediate product in the scandium oxide refining process. If this can be achieved, this would simplify the refining process and lower overall operating and capital costs.

“The master alloy development program will provide the Company with a number of benefits including the potential to produce a premium-priced, value added product, and alternative proprietary process that can enable other downstream alloy manufacturers to incorporate scandium into their product mix, and the potential to lower overall operating and capital costs in the refining process. This program is part of a broader analysis of potential by-product revenues that can be generated at Owendale including cobalt, nickel and highpurity alumina,” said Platina managing director, Corey Nolan.

Click here to read the full press release